How to Fish for Trout With a Nymph
Fishing for trout with a nymph is one of the best ways to catch big trout. You can fish for trout with a nymph in many situations and have success. They key is knowing how to fish the nymph and where to cast. This article will show you the best ways to catch wary trout on a nymph.
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Things You'll Need
- Fly rod and line (3-4 weight)
- Nymph flies
- Colored strike indicator
- Waders
Instructions
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How to Fish for Trout with a Nymph
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1
Find a section of river that has all the spots trout like to hide. Swift currents with slower pools, large boulders and fallen trees are good choices.
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2
Position yourself up stream from your chosen spot in an area where you have good footing and are slightly hidden from the trout.
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3
Select your nymph depending on the season and the hatch. Use an emerging Caddis, if Caddis flies are hatching and so on.
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4
Cast your nymph into the current and let it float drag-free along the current to the spot where you believe a trout is hiding. If necessary pull up slightly on your rod to cause the nymph to move a little in the current. This will sometimes evoke a strike by a brown or 'brookie' trout.
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5
When the fish takes the nymph set the hook and reel in your fish. Try several areas and methods, casting downstream, upstream and move around if you are not having any luck.
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Tips & Warnings
Matching the hatch is critical in nymph fishing as it is in dry fly fishing. There are patterns that match nymphs at many stages and some that simulate the air bubbles some nymphs use to rise to the surface. Be sure to use the right one, and change your nymph if you aren't having any luck. Unlike dry fly fishing, with nymph you can at times pull on the line and create a bit of drag to entice a strike.
Nymph fishing is very difficult because you can't see your fly. You must rely on your angling skills to get the fly in the right position, and float it across the bottom without drag while your line floats across a range of currents. Many times smart trout will strike without you even feeling it, so using a strike indicator is a good idea.
